Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012
432. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider an application by Longford County Council for the provision of a library and the refurbishment of the town hall as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44719/12]
View answerMy Department provides capital funding towards the provision and refurbishment of new and existing public libraries. In this regard, in 2008 my Department requested library authorities to provide details of priorities for library development within its area.
In its response, Longford County Council ranked Ballymahon branch library as its main priority, followed by projects at Granard and Edgeworthstown and the provision of a library delivery vehicle.
Grant aid of €900,000 was approved and drawn down in respect of the Ballymahon project with the final payment being made in October, 2011. In addition, my Department provided €80,000 for the purchase and fit out of a library vehicle in 2010. My Department’s allocation for 2012 of €5m for Library Capital projects is fully committed to ongoing Library projects.
